COLUMBUS, OH The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) today filed permit applications with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, seeking to expand and improve the harbor basin at Middle Bass Island State Park in Lake Erie.
The permits, mandated by the federal Clean Water Act, must be secured before construction can begin on the Middle Bass Island State Park Phase I marina and campground development project. As part of the application process, ODNR outlined plans for an expanded harbor with 360 boat slips, a boat launch ramp, a redesigned entrance from the lake side and other recreational amenities. About $11.4 million in state and federal money will fund the proposed project, which will be constructed in several phases through 2009.
“Our proposal for the harbor at Middle Bass Island will expand recreational opportunities and benefit the area’s unique environment at the same time,” said Dan West, Ohio State Parks chief. “It will also play an important public safety role for boaters in Lake Erie’s western basin, where the need for transient docking has never been greater.”
Key to the proposed redesign of the harbor is a dredging effort to remove the harbor’s center peninsula and “round” the overall configuration of the facility. Fill from the dredging will be used to improve and expand the park’s existing temporary campground, located to the west of the harbor, and enhance a wetland and hiking trail on the north side. Moving the harbor’s lakeside entrance to the north of its current location is aimed at improving both water quality and fishing in the area. The redesigned harbor will also feature a sand beach, located just south of the new entrance, as well as fishing access.
Of utmost concern in the proposed construction project is protecting the endangered Lake Erie water snake.
“Our construction plans take special care to avoid disturbing the wintering and breeding grounds of this rare species, and the project will enhance the snake’s habitat in the marina area,” West added.
As part of the proposed mitigation plan, ODNR plans to restore 39 acres of high quality wetland and the fisheries in the Middle Harbor area of nearby East Harbor State Park in Ottawa County.
If all permit applications are approved, construction on the harbor and campground development project will begin late in 2007 and conclude in time for the 2009 recreational season. The Middle Bass Island State Park harbor will be closed to boating during that period.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting in late August to accept citizen comment on the permit applications.